Abstract:
A tubular reactor is described, for catalytic reactions involving thermal exchanges, in particular for etherification reactions between branched olefins and linear alcohol, for dimerization reactions of branched olefins or cracking reactions, essentially consisting of a vertical tube-bundle exchanger whose tubes contain catalyst, having inlet and outlet nozzles for each passage side of the reagents, catalyst and thermal exchange liquid, characterized in that it has one or more metallic supports situated outside the lower tube plate in the lower part of the reactor for sustaining the catalyst so that the same catalyst is contained not only in the tubes of the tube-bundle but also in said lower part outside the lower tube plate and also in the upper part outside the upper tube plate.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process for the recovery of ammonia contained in a gaseous purging stream produced in a synthesis process of urea, comprising the following phases: a) subjecting the gaseous purging stream to a washing with an aqueous acidic solution, at a pH ranging from 1 to 6, with the formation of a first purified gaseous stream and an aqueous solution containing an ammonium salt; b) subjecting the aqueous solution containing the ammonium salt coming from phase a) to stripping, after treatment with a strong base, at a temperature ranging from 50 to 250° C. and a pressure ranging from 1 to 40 absolute bar, with the formation of a second gaseous stream comprising NH3, H2O and possibly CO2 and a solution containing a salt of the cation of said strong base; c) subjecting the solution containing the salt of the cation of the strong base coming from phase b) to a Membrane Electrochemical Process (MEP) with the formation of an aqueous solution of the acid used in phase a), an aqueous solution of the base used in phase b) and possibly a diluted aqueous solution of the cation salt of the strong base; d) recycling said aqueous solution of the acid and aqueous solution of the base to phase a) and to phase b) respectively, and recycling said second gaseous stream coming from phase b) to the urea synthesis process. The relative equipment is also described.
Abstract:
A method of forming a protective coat about a cutback between pipes forming part of an underwater pipeline provides for laying a thermoplastic sheet on a supporting sheet; and winding the thermoplastic sheet and the supporting sheet about the cutback to join the thermoplastic sheet to the cutback.
Abstract:
A method of laying pipeline from a vessel (10) is disclosed. The vessel (10) includes many pipe processing stations (36, 42), arranged across the width of the vessel. In one embodiment, there are two pipe processing areas (38, 40) separated along the length of the vessel. The pipe processing stations (36, 42) may be operable in two modes of operation, for example, a first mode of operation where the vessel produces triple joint pipe strings (from three lengths of pipe section welded together) and a second mode of operation where double joint pipe strings are produced, for example, from two single length pipe sections having a significantly greater length than the single length pipe sections used in the first mode of operation. In one embodiment, a triple joint pipe section is part welded in one pipe processing area (38), then moved along the length of the vessel (10) to a different pipe processing area, where further welding operations are performed on the triple joint. In order for the vessel to operate in two modes of operation, the storage bin facilities (12) for storing single length pipe sections are configured to be able to accommodate different lengths of single length pipe section arranged end to end in a single bin.
Abstract:
A traction system for operating lines, in particular mooring lines and/or production lines, of a floating production unit has a number of work stations distributed along the unit, at least at two ends of the unit, and engaged by respective operating lines; a main winch; and a cable transmission device having a duty cable connected to the main winch, and guide means for selectively routing the duty cable to each work station for attachment to a respective operating line; at least one auxiliary winch, having an auxiliary cable connectable to the duty cable, is used to unwind the duty cable off the main winch and run the duty cable, along paths defined by the guide members, into a number of positions close to respective work stations.
Abstract:
A method of laying a pipeline (6) underwater includes the steps of holding an end of a pipeline (6), providing a pipe section (5) for extending the pipeline (6), arranging the pipe section (5) adjacent to the end of pipeline (6) thereby defining a circumferential joint (7) to be welded, and welding the pipes (5, 6) together. A plurality of welding torches (8) move along the circumferential joint (7) and are operated simultaneously to weld the pipes together. The pipes (5, 6) are made of TMCP-SC steel. After the root weld is laid, a cooling ring (1) mounted on an internal clamp inside the pipes (5, 6) sprays cooling liquid, for example a fluid spray of atomised water (10) and air, from nozzles (2) onto an interior surface of the pipes (5, 6) in the region of the circumferential joint (7), thereby cooling the pipes (5, 6).
Abstract:
A method is disclosed for repairing a damaged pipe laid on deep sea beds, said method substantially comprising the step of joining a central pipe stub between the ends of the two adjoining pipe portions, such operation being performed directly on the sea bed rather than on the pipe-laying barge. Special coupling sleeves are provided at both ends of the central pipe stub, said sleeves being received in a watertight manner on the two pipe terminal portions, by clamping said sleeves thereon. Apparatus and tools for carrying out said method are described in great detail.
Abstract:
For lifting from deep sea beds a pipeline trunk, a device is disclosed which is composed by a compact framework of square outline which supports a sealing and pulling head and paired jaw assemblies having sloping surface seats to engage the outer surface of the pipe to be lifted, said jaws being actuated by hydraulic and pneumatic motive means so as to grip the pipe surface firmly. A pipe-cutting device is also provided, which has two discrete cutting units, and the sealing and pulling head is removable from said frame and can be both slid and rotated as to position it correctly coaxially with the pipe trunk.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus suitable for use in the automatic welding of pipes. The apparatus according to the invention comprises a fixed part or rail band which is clamped around the pipe at a prefixed position and a moving part which is driven with an orbital motion along the rail band and supports a swinging welding torch, a welding rod feeding mechanism and a torch position adjusting mechanism. The swinging motion of the welding torch is produced by a pneumatic system which permits both the amplitude and the frequency of said swinging motion to be adjusted. It is also possible to produce high swing frequencies and various times of stoppage for the torch at the ends of the swinging motion.
Abstract:
This invention relates to an improved method for rapidly laying a pipeline in deep water by an anchored floating means. The rapid laying is obtained by varying the forces exerted by winches mounted on the floating means in such a manner as to impart a rapid movement to the floating means, in the longitudinal direction of laying, for a distance equal to the length of the piece of pipe added to the free end of the pipeline to be laid. Before termination of the rapid movement there is applied to the floating means a compensating force, whose direction, sense and intensity are such that, together with the forces exerted by the winches, said compensating force opposes moment by moment the central elastic force which induces a damped oscillatory motion in the floating means. This oscillation is thus eliminated or drastically and rapidly dampened.